The big fire west of Del Norte should not affect you as of now. The roads are open through the south San Juans in CO. That being said, the winds have shifted out of the north for almost a week now which can change the course of the fires. The Windy Pass fire was the one south of US160 and close to Wolf Creek that would have a bearing on travel but I think it's still a long way off from the CDR route. Park Creek and Beaver Creek roads are closed but the Pine Creek access that is part of the official route was open as of Monday. Of course, check with the USFS who will give you the wrong info but it's nice to call so that they will feel needed.

Big Dogs Route is not the CDR route. It doesn't even pass through Colorado. He has an alternate return through Western Colorado, but not necessary.

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Big Dog has lots of routes. His most wesern one was kind of along the Great Western Trail but deviated in a lot of places. I thought he did follow the CDR but I combined his tracks (very old) with several newer riders up to Cannonshot. This gave me a very accurate set with all the wrong turns and detours eliminated. They are on GPSXchange.com

Big Dog has lots of routes. His most wesern one was kind of along the Great Western Trail but deviated in a lot of places. I thought he did follow the CDR but I combined his tracks (very old) with several newer riders up to Cannonshot. This gave me a very accurate set with all the wrong turns and detours eliminated. They are on GPSXchange.com

Is that the one starting east of Nogales and going thru AZ & UT? If so his tracks are really bad. He basically followed the GWT. I have been recording accurate tracks for GWT with a few deviations for gas and motels. Check it out on GPSXcange.com

My wife and I are in Silver City NM and we can testify that although we are getting rain and the Gila forest is only at advisory 1, road 150 is closed. Fire operations are still being conducted there. We are very disappointed about this. 150 runs between the Gila and Aldo Leopold wilderness areas. We took a side trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and saw many spectacular views of the Gila Wilderness. I'd like to come back someday with my backpack and explore it. Although this is the first I've seen it the place has special meaning. It is the first wilderness and was established at the urging of Leopold. Leopold also founded the profession that I made as my life's work.

Just to add to my post of a few hours ago. A big storm has moved in and now there are flood warnings to add to the problems with fire closures. Tomorrow we will ride north on tarmac (US 180) for a while an take a look at some roads that will lead back to the CDR (159 at Alma). We may have to continue for some time on paved roads or wait for the dirt roads to dry.

Just heard the Santa Fe NF is opening back up tomorrow. Going from stage III all the way to Stage I. Don't know about the Mt Taylor part of the Cibola NF. Bet they aren't far behind. We have been getting lots of rain.

We rode some of the CDR in the north part of the Carson NF today, and it was fantastic.

Edit: I have been informed that the Mt. Taylor area of the Cibola NF is opening this week end.

We are now in Salida CO. This has been a rainy and slow trip. We have only had one rain free day. Many afternoons we must camp early or find a motel. We have also been challenged by the trail. The last 20 miles of NM heading north tested the limits of our abilities. Also there is a section of "primitive road" (665) north of Del Norte, CO that was also a challenge. My advice for those coming from the north is that if you didn't think 665 was fun, consider routing around the first section in NM.

Thanks for the intel. If you made it through the northern NM section in the rain you certainly have my respect - those roads turn into greasy snot. We hit the section of trail just south of 64 a few years ago after it had rained for days and it brought us to a halt.

Planning do the whole ride starting from the south in a few weeks, so by all means please keep the updates coming. Crossing fingers for no fire and no rain.

I think you take 87A instead of 87. This takes you down to the Los Pinos river. Cross the river and ride along the north side for a few miles. Then there is a slightly steep but not rocky uphill. Then there are pretty good dirt roads out to CO 17. You can cut west to pick up the CDR up FR 250.

This would be a much better route north to south. But to tell you the truth I don't think there is much difference going south to north. You are trading a rocky downhill for an uphill.

Be sure to check a map and plan your route. If you PM me I can send some GPS tracks.

Perfecto, thanks. I was looking at doing exactly that but happy to hear the climb out from the river isn't too bad and also that I'm not going to run into some dude's gate. I know there is a section of the river area around there that is private but no idea where that part is.

The little campground along the river there looks pretty cool too. Supposedly fantastic fishing.

My wife and I finished the ride on the 25th and are now homeward bound to TX. We decided not to go to Roosville for our finish, but to ride into Glacier NP on the Going to the Sun highway and returning to the park entrance on US Hwy 2 giving us 2 more crossings of the divide. The park is awesome but filled with vehicles, a real culture shock to see middle America out on vacation in their RVs, Harleys, or whatever. It is a possible alternative ending but be warned you may come away thinking America is doomed. We did two side trips on the way. The first was to the Cliff Dwellings National Monument in NM. Very nice, but it was a 2 day diversion. The second side trip was a day in Yellowstone. Much like Glacier, America was there as well as Japaneses and German tourists. I do want to visit again but in September or October next time.

I should add that there is a challenging section of trail just north of Helena MT. There are some rocky and steep sections, we found them to be challenging and fun. Navigation in this section was also a challenge even with a gps and the mountain bike maps. We never got really lost, only slighty bewildered.